1964 (Showa 39)

The Pentax SP is introduced, the first SLR camera with a through-the-lens exposure system. Semi-automatic exposure control soon became popular with pro photographers. TTL exposure systems are now found in virtually all SLR cameras.

ARAKI Nobuyoshi becomes the first winner of the now prestigious Taiyo-sho Award for his photo essay called Satchin.

The Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train starts service between Tokyo and Osaka. Picture postcards of the bullet train streaking in front Mt. Fuji become a modern classic.

The Tokyo Olympiad is held. The event greatly boosts sports photography in Japan. The memorable promotional poster (shown here) showing track runners dashing from the starting line was taken by HAYASAKI Osamu who was then forever associated with that image.

1965 (Showa 40)

The first Japanese cameras incorporating electronic shutters are introduced. They include the Yashica Electro Half, Olympus 35 EM, and Olympus 35 LE.

Canon's Canonet QL 17 compact camera is the world's first camera with a Quick Loading feature for 35mm film. In the following year, Canon U.S.A. Inc. is established in the U.S.

1966 (Showa 41)

SAWADA Kyoichi wins the Pulitzer Prize for his "Escape to Safety" photos of the Vietnam War. He is later killed on the battlefield.

The Beatles perform at the Budokan in Tokyo. ASAI Shimpei is the official photographer allowed access to their hotel rooms, etc. The photos are published in a book and later reproduced in 1995 in a book called "The Beatles in Tokyo 1966," published by The Japan Times.

1967 (Showa 42)

The Pentax Gallery, a camera museum, opens.

A revision of the copyright law sets the copyright for photographs effective for 12 years.

1968 (Showa 43)

The Yashica Lynx 5000 E was the first camera to employ ICs (integrated circuits).

In Sept., Canon discontinues the Canon 7s, its last traditional rangefinder camera. SLR cameras, Canonets, Cine cameras, and office machines take over as its mainstream products.

Japan's Gross National Product becomes the second largest in the world after the U.S.

1969 (Showa 44)

The Asahi Pentax 6x7 medium-format camera is introduced, the first 6x7cm format camera in the world to feature an eye-level pentaprism. Looking like an oversized 35mm SLR camera, the camera controls were in familiar positions.

Canon Camera Co., Inc. changes its name to Canon Inc. since over half of its sales comprised of non-camera products.